Torque converter with connector plate for a clutch plate and arc spring
A torque converter including a lock up clutch, the lock up clutch including a piston and a clutch plate, a spring, and a connector plate, the connector plate connecting to the clutch plate at a connection and drivingly engaged with the spring at a spring engagement, the connection to the clutch plate being radially outside of the spring engagement.
1 . A torque converter comprising:
a lock-up clutch, the lock-up clutch including a piston and a clutch plate;
a spring; and
a connector plate, the connector plate connecting to the clutch plate at a connection and drivingly engaged with the spring at a spring engagement, the connection to the clutch plate being radially outside of the spring engagement.
2 . The torque converter as recited in claim 1 further comprising a first friction material surface and a second friction material surface.
3 . The torque converter as recited in claim 2 wherein the first and second friction material surfaces have an equal or greater radial distance from a torque converter axis than the spring.
4 . The torque converter as recited in claim 2 wherein the first friction material surface is between the clutch plate and the piston and the second friction material surface is between the clutch plate and the housing.
5 . The torque converter as recited in claim 1 wherein the connector plate is centered by the spring.
6 . The torque converter as recited in claim 1 wherein the spring is an arc spring.
7 . The torque converter as recited in claim 1 wherein the clutch plate and the connector plate are splined together with lash.
8 . The torque converter as recited in claim 1 wherein the connector plate is centered by the cover plate.
9 . The torque converter as recited in claim 1 wherein the cover plate is located axially toward an engine side with respect to the connector plate to prevent movement of the connector plate towards the engine.
10 . The torque converter as recited in claim 1 wherein the movement of the cover plate towards a transmission side is axially restricted.
11 . The torque converter as recited in claim 1 wherein the piston is located axially between the connector plate and the clutch plate.